What is Niacinamide Good For?

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DAN HARRIMAN Last Updated: Jan 08, 2016

Dan Harriman

Dan Harriman began writing professionally in 2009 and has a varied background in marketing, ranging from sports management to music promotion. Harriman holds a Bachelor of Science in journalism with an emphasis on strategic communications from the University of Kansas and earned the International Advertising Association's diploma in marketing communications.

Niacinamide is one of two niacin B vitamin complexes vital for a number of essential body functions. The niacin complex helps convert the food you eat into energy. Niacinamide does this by building complex compounds made of fatty acids and cholesterol. Scientific research continues to uncover new benefits to niacinamide, which has shown to have promising affects on a variety of conditions.

Niacin Deficiency

Nacinamide is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to the Mayo Clinic, to treat niacin deficiency, also known as pellagra. A dietary lack of vitamin B3 or the vitamin's chemical compound, tryptophan, are the root causes of pellagra, a disease that can result in diarrhea, dementia, depression and skin conditions. Pellagra often occurs in people who eat a lot of corn.

Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes patients may benefit from niacinamide supplementation, according to the Mayo Clinic. More research is still needed to precisely determine niacinamide's affect but preliminary studies have shown this B vitamin has the potential to delay the need for insulin dependence or prevent diabetes all together. Niacinamide was found to cure diabetes in mice and rats by preventing macrophage or interleukin-1-beta-induced cell damage, according to NutraSanus.com

High Blood Pressure

While niacinamide is not yet a prescription treatment for hyperphosphatemia or high blood pressure, some studies have shown that it may help lower high serum phosphate levels, according to the Mayo Clinic. A restriction of dietary phosphorus intake combined with niacinamide may result in lowered blood pressure.

Skin Conditions

A topical application of niacinamide in a cream or gel form can help reduce dry skin, redness and irritation caused by acne or from taking acne medications, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Many acne creams and medications contain 4 percent of niacinamide, a dosage that has been linked to help eliminate acne and skin discoloration.

HIV/AIDS

An observational study of nearly 300 men infected with human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, found that increased niacinamide levels slowed the virus' progression rate to full-blown AIDS and improved survival, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. The institute also claims that niacinamide supplementation of 1,000 to 1,500 mg per day over a two month period resulted in a 40 percent increase of tryptophan levels in four HIV-positive patients.